Malaria Among Pregnant Women in, Bossaso City, Somalia: Cross Sectional Study Design

Abstract

Abstract Background: Malaria is a serious disease that leads to severe adverse effects on mothers and the fetus during pregnancy. Approximately 25 million pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa live at risk of malaria. This study aims to address the prevalence of malaria and its associated factors among pregnant women in Bossaso, Somalia.Objective: To determine the prevalence of malaria and its associated factors among pregnant women in Bossaso city, Somalia.Methods: A health institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 pregnant women in Bossaso General Hospital (BGH) using an interview-administered questionnaire and malaria diagnosis confirmation, which was done on microscope-based laboratory techniques. The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were employed to identify factors associated with malaria. The level of statistical significance was declared at a p-value less than or equal to 0.05.Results: The overall prevalence of malaria was found 20.9% [95%CI (15.9%, 25.9%)]. Of these, 64 (75.3%), 19 (22.4%), and 2 (2.4%) were caused by Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, and mixed infection, respectively. The factors like the presence of water pond sites around the house or vicinity [AOR= 6.5, 95% CI (1.6, 20.5)] and always using insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) [AOR=0.1, 95%CI (0.01, 0.88)] were found to be significantly associated with malaria during pregnancy.Conclusion and Recommendation: Malaria is still a health problem among pregnant women in Bossaso city. The overall prevalence of malaria among pregnant women in the study area was found to be high. This study emphasized the need to provide health education and consultation to pregnant women on the appropriate malaria preventive methods and continued strengthening other interventions.